Monday, February 29, 2016

Intimacy: "Into me see"

By Sr. Judy Donohue

I find intimacy a call of my heart.Jesus had three close intimate relationships
with the apostles: John, Peter and James. He also was a good friend of Martha,
Mary and Lazarus. I just completed a four day workshop with Sr. Lynn Levo CSJ
on Psycho-Sexual development. She stated “I need you to complete me, you need
me to complete you.” We find ourselves in relationships. In my ministry at our
assisted living center: Carrico Hall, I have enjoyed getting to know our
sisters and share their life stories. I have sorted stamps, pictures, put
together puzzles as well as shared vocation stories.In these life experiences, I identify with
some things in my own life.Yes, I too
was shy.Yes, I wanted to avoid the
call. Yes, I am often confused on what God’s will is.Yes, God wants to direct us every step of the
way and give us peace.

In the novitiate,
the inner journeying process helps us to find out who we are.I am discovering many things about myself
that I am learning to accept. Some good, some challenging. Mostly that I am
infinitely loved by a great lover of a God. I am not perfect, but I am loved.
God desires to spend time with us. God wants to know us intimately. God desires
to be in the same room with us just as we desire to be with those we love. As I
learn to be vulnerable, to self-disclose, and continue trusting the process, I
am growing in intimacy. We are frail,
tender, sometimes weak human beings who need support. During this season of
Lent, God is drawing us ever nearer to Godself with mercy that is greater than
the ocean in depth, length, height and width. Thank God I am not alone. Thank
God for the journey.